SATURDAY 31st May 2003 My body has been telling me to have a rest and so I did. I woke up relatively early and in between snoozing I picked up reading a book I hadnt read for ages. John Majors Autobiography I bought it a couple of years back now when it first came out, I remember reading articles from it in The Times and thought it would be a good read. Anyway by the time I picked it up again today I was about 400 pages through his book of about 700, and he was writing about the Ireland peace process a complicated subject if ever their was one, nevertheless I did pick up from where I left off in between a break for lunch when I stoked up the Barbeque which hadnt been out this year that was fun and then a little more rest and reading in the afternoon/evening before finishing off the Matrix and taking cover for the day.
FRIDAY 30th May 2003 Ive been feeling rather lethargic lately, so today it was very difficult to stop myself from yawning! Anyway another busy day, with plenty of concentration throughout. However I got through the day and now look forward to four days off work for some rest and relaxation. Started to watch the Matrix in my new bedroom with the cinema surround system and projector. It made it much more realistic when youve got some decent kit to play this DVD.
THURSDAY 29th May 2003 - Well, I'm not in the mood for the diary today! Sorry to sound negative.... but I'm very tired!!
WEDNESDAY 28th May 2003 - The morning was a hectic one with two meetings following one another and of course the tight schedule overlaped so I didn't manage to settle down till later in the morning. It's great being busy but it's also nice to chill for a while and just think and reflect, so it was good that I was able to get out of the office for half-an-hour and lunch time, not only was the weather fine but it was a good time to get recharge. Been so tired of late, can't think whether it's my condition (which is a symptom) or whether it's just that I've been doing a lot lately. Anyway, caught up with more stuff tonight before fitness training which went very well. Managed to cover a little bit more than last week, although it was much warmer today.
Been thinking about cars as well today.... think my next car will be a convertable.. a Lotus Elise, Vauxhall VX220, Mazda MX5, Peugeot 307cc, BMW Z4..... mmm something to think about (thanks Rich for the suggestions) and yes Yellow would look really cool!
TUESDAY 27th May 2003 - It's been pretty cool being in a new bedroom, I've so much more space than ever before! Managed to catch up on loads of paperwork tonight which was important having spent an extra hour at work redesigning the office and catching up with work stuff. I've seen this really cool watch I'm considering buying.... gee my obsession with watches will get the better of me, especially when I have more things to start paying for mortgage, bills etc etc.... oh well while I'm still free of this I just like spending spending spending!!! oh dear... you only live once..... So some new links on the Links page, including the start up of the Malvern Referees Society website....which I managed to start-up with Pete.
MONDAY 26th May 2003 - Woow, what a day! Been on my feet all day, moving bedrooms today, this took from 9.30am till about 11pm in between other things, phone calls, eating, drinking, the odd bit of computer work and sorting out stuff.. Did you know I got rid of a boot full of clothes, books and paperwork today...had a real sort-out. Also ended up going to MFI (Made For Idiots) to get a wardrobe - took about an hour to errect then to populate later... No chance of a relaxing Bank Holiday Weekend... in fact I can't see me getting much of a relaxing break in the near future with all my plans... anyway I'm not complaining, rather be busy than have nothing to do at all.
SUNDAY 25th May 2003 - Spent some time around retail parks today, furniture stores, electrical stores etc etc.... got well beaten with two games of scrabble in the evening, which didn't change my very good mood over the weekend, so much too say... so little time! Save it till later!!
SATURDAY 24th May 2003 - After two very long days, not much chance for a lie in this morning after relinquishing the League Accounts after four years I arranged the switch-over today. That's all my committments taken care off now. Got home quite late Friday night, but it was a good journey back from Wadhurst, only the M4 with a little congestion with the Bank Holiday traffic I guess clogging up the roads. My prediction on Thursday was more or less correct, though I did arrive a little later and finish at about 7.30pm. The evenings meal was great.... Crab and Salmon fishcake starter with Cajun Chicken and Natco's on a bed of noodles.. lovely and two glasses of Stella (aptly named 'Wife Beater' - I guess for some reason or another!). Another long day at work till 7pm on Friday before driving home at 7.30pm.
FRIDAY 23rd May 2003 - What a very very long day.. so long in fact this is just a quick note to say I'm still alive and kicking... catch up after the weekend!!
THURSDAY 22nd May 2003 - Hello! I'm writing today's diary before it's even happened for me, so as I'm gonna be away on business for a few days I thought I'd write my little piece now so you don't feel dissapointed when you come to read the diary on Friday. Just tease yourself and come back Friday anyway to read this.... who knows it may have changed... how spooky will that be? he he he!
K, so I reckon the day will go something like this..... wake up at 6.00, travel down to Wadhurst (Sussex) at 6:30 arive at about 10:00 through bad traffic on the M25. Work till about 18:00, before showering and having evening meal with the family business members (three of them), then take cover about 23:00 hours. Ready for Friday's start at about 8:30 in the office for another day's work before driving back home at about 18:00 hours... there you go. Sorted! (I wish!)
WEDNESDAY 21st May 2003 - It's amazing how one piece of news, whether it be by voice, email, letter, fax, picture etc can then effect you from one extreme to another. I got a little bit of news like that today, however I hope it will be sorted out in the fullness of time. I'm not even gonna mention it to you now because I don't like to tempt fate.... he he. Anyway.... I enjoyed the evenings' fitness session which went well, covered a longer distance than last week which was very pleasing.... with just over a month before my fitness test. Even though I've never failed the tests I am always looking to improve or at least keep my fitness at my best or optimum level (oh dear am I tempting fate here?)
Mmmm... do you believe in fate.... now I think I've mentioned that before on my diary! Actualy in some circumstance Yes I do! These were my Stars for today:
When something goes wrong, we start to lose our faith. We begin to assume that we must have made some kind of mistake. We regret our indiscretions and we worry about the choices that have led to our current situation. Clearly, we feel, we are not supposed to be where we are. We have arrived in our present position by accident. Therefore, nothing good can ever come of it. Before we know it, we have started sliding down a spiral of pessimism. Theres just one thing you need to know today. Despite all you fear, you are in the right place. At the right time.
TUESDAY 20th May 2003 - If you thought yesterday was a day of reflection, if you'd of seen me today, you'd have noticed that I was wearing black today, black suit, black shirt and black tie... no nobody has died and I wasn't greiving, though I do sometimes wear things depending on my mood, then again perhaps this is getting me nowhere, I wasn't in a greiving mood today, on the contrary I was in a very good mood, okay some of my work didn't go according to plan and I've been pretty tired of late but overall I'm quietly contented with life at the moment.
So perhaps some more reflection... In fact I think a lot, I did tonight when I walked home after visiting a friend, it's amazing what 'pops' into your head when your out late at night on your own... like the car abandoned down the bottom of our road - it had a notice on it, basically saying it was going to be towed away (and it hadn't been vandalised).... to the time when I 'cut' my ties with the Malvern Football League last night officially - it made me think how 'clicky' the group is.... oh god I'm having reservations of printing this stuff now.... I have a conscience and people might think I'm back stabbing or stuff.... but hey I'll carry on.... oh well live and let live....I'm not gonna start now - I shall remain positive and look forward, no point looking backward - what does that achieve?
Anyway must go.... another late night..... got some new ideas for the site... let you know soon!
MONDAY 19th May 2003 - Silence is golden (so I've been told) so what I don't say now you won't miss. A time for reflection perhaps?
SUNDAY 18th May 2003 - The day went very quickly today, just like yesterday. Today was very enjoyable, I was treated to some excellent hospitality, with a very good lunch and tea provided, plus a trip to the cinema to watch "About Schmidt", a story very well acted by Jack Nicholson. Some funny moments in an otherwise enlightning movie, probably more suited for the older generation but nevertheless interesting and thoughtful. The drive home was probably one of the worst types of conditions you could imagine... with rain, spray and thunderstorms on the motorway it was not very pleasant.... however made it home safely and look forward to a busy week ahead.
It's like every weekend is so special.... I wish everyday was just like it... do you ever get that feeling? It's as if you 'switch off' from everyday life and just forget everything and have such a wonderful time - like in a dream, cut off from the world and away from the grind of day-to-day mediocracy.... I suppose like a holiday but so much more different.....like love where your mind wanders into such a wonderful place...... like the time when the hairs on the back of your neck spring up caught up in the emotion......
SATURDAY 17th May 2003 - Made a morning trip down to Cardiff on our way to the Millenium Stadium for the FA Cup Final.. The day went very very quickly, the atmosphere was undescribable realy. I must admit it was quite a scene with the roof closed in the stadium, the 73000 + specatators, the colours of both sets of supporters flags, baloons and banner plus the excellent venue which made for such a great occasion. OK the match wasn't a classic by any means, but when you're there you don't tend to realise so much, you get caught up with the surroundings.
Evening spent in Worcester (which I haven't spent a night in ages) with Mick, Matt and Daryll, was alright for a few drinks and a visit to an Indian. Which I must say wasn't that brilliant to be honest. I know I'm not really a fan of Indian food (I was out voted, and the mickey taken out of me for most of the time I was there)..anyway the service seemed like hard work for the 'Waiters' who didn't seem very interested at all.... a far cry from the visit to a restaurant I made last month.....
FRIDAY 16th May 2003 - I took my food speciality into the office today as a purchase of a kiwi at lunchtime enabled me to made my fruit salad for lunch. Very nice!! The day went pretty well, and the night out with Matt and Daryll, including a few games of stick and ball made for quite a good evening.
THURSDAY 15th May 2003 - Guess WHO? duuuhhh, Its ME, ohh and guess the year!! This picture totally sums up my present feelings!
WEDNESDAY 14th May 2003 - One of those days today - felt pretty good today, in fact pretty great lately! Enjoyed the evenings' fitness training in Worcester, gonna start training regularly on Wednesday with a small group of friends, which will be cool. I've also had a little check on my eating habits lately, been a little lax of late, so an extra effort to keep up the dietary requirements, it's not too pleasant when I go a little off the rails. I shan't go into details, but it's not that clever!!.
Looking forward to June now, tickets for the French Open Tennis are on the way, so getting excited about visiting Paris again soon. That'll be cool for a weekend. Also had confirmation of the Referee for the match at Kidderminster - same as last season, so really chuffed about that!
TUESDAY 13th May 2003 - Oh dear, what could possibly be described as one of the most uninteresting local cup finals I have ever witnessed took place tonight. Ah well, and to make matters worse it went the whole distance, extra time, penalties. I was mentally drained of boredom if there is such a thing. It made me think of a few things and I think all the spectators should have received a medal for watching it - not the players. I'm glad to say the rest of the day was far from boring, some good news coming my way in the afternoon which was a good boost, but still some frustration in a work project which could do with the same treatment.
MONDAY 12th May 2003 - A long day at the office (10 hours) ensured I got the majority of work done that I had scheduled, however the cancellation of a meeting Tuesday will help me to 'catch-up' on a few other things. It's amazing when you think how much time you actually spend at work, then add up the time you sleep, then this doesn't leave much room for a lot else..... now lets take today for example... Personal hygiene preparation (cool description he he!) = 30 minutes, Work = 10 hours, Travelling = 90 minutes, Food allocation and consumption including digestion period and fluid replenishment = 30 minutes, Sleep = 7 hours, therefore time remaining = 4 and a half hours!! - Mmmm time for a run, update the diary, chill out (perhaps a read, check messages, open post, a few phone calls) (times are approximate)... Interesting!!
SUNDAY 11th May 2003 - A topic for conversation lately for me has been about the 10 most essential items for a new house, what do you think? I'll keep mine to myself for a few days, until you've had chance to think about it! Enjoyed the 3.5 mile walk around Sherwood Forest today, to Robin Hood countryside, have to find out how the lads did at Cricket on Monday, had a match to see in the evening which ended the season for the Malvern League so missed much this afternoon. Nice to see some new teams winning trophies this year as opposed to the usual few, it gets so one-sided sometimes and very difficult to encourage new teams to join.
SATURDAY 10th May 2003 - It was strange, but nice to have a relaxing day today. Got most of my jobs done in the morning whilst Mum was covered in specles of paint from decorating the now vacant 'spare' room, which will become mine soon! Went around some shops in the afternoon before a trip up towards Nottingham in the evening, when I played some baseball and volleyball in the evening, that was fun - much better at baseball than volleyball though, much improved eye-ball co-ordination with the batting, quite a few home runs!! Need to work on the pitching - imrovement required!
FRIDAY 9th May 2003 - My diary is now jammed packed over the coming weeks, and I suppose that isn't such a bad thing! I think I'll need the weekends to recover, so I'm looking forward to having a break this weekend, with no football scheduled now for a while it'll be nice to relax away from the game. It always seems quite strange, not having to spend about 2 hours getting ready for a game on a Saturday and all the preparation, the game itself, the travelling and the paperwork afterwards it'l be nice I can tell you. Enjoyed the day today, even though I ended up doing lots of mundane tasks, still they have to be done on occasions.
THURSDAY 8th May 2003 - See Stories, Round the Bend for todays diary entry. Pity you couldn't hear me tonight...very husky voice at the moment! he he he
WEDNESDAY 7th May 2003 - Too goody two shoes hey!! Well, perhaps I did surprise some people with my admittance to ignoring the can on the pavement, well it did happen, I did ignore it and that's that!! I also talked myself today into not taking life to seriously, I almost thought about releasing all my emotions to you, but hey - I'm NOT that stupid!! Why? Why take life to seriously, you only live once, you have one chance at most things, mess up and you'll get another chance maybe? Am I right? Okay, if you fall in debt, so what, what's the worse that can happen? End up on the street, your reputation in tatters, your ego broken, but hey! Why not kill yourself, get rid of the pain, the suffering, that's it, come back in any life with a clean slate, a new start, new body, new family, new everything... that's would be cool, you'll no longer be in debt... Now I WAS joking about the killing bit - I mean I'm not mentally insane or need to visit a Physiologist!! But hey, do you believe in re-incarnation?
LIfe is to short to worry....but hey in my nature I worry anyway!! he he Okay, so I'd think something was incredibly wrong if I didn't have a worry, a concern, a problem. In fact the problem, or concern is a big or as little as you deem it to be.... you can escalate it, make it worse and of course make it better.... now I'm not saying that is my current situation, in fact I'm glad to be alive, such an exciting period in my life right now and I'm not about to throw it away, I've got a lot going for me, or at least so people say, no I beleive it's true too! I chopped another 8 seconds off my run tonight compared to last week, so of course I'm HAPPY! Be well everyone and check out Stories - Health Hazard for some revelations???
TUESDAY 6th May 2003 - Managed to get quite a bit done today... even had some excellent news tonight which will hopefully alter my Sport, Active, Highest ranking appointment as an Assistant Referee.... yes I got asked to do a pre-season friendly at Kidderminster Harriers again (I must have done alright last year!) Anyway, this time it's a little more high profile with West Bromwich Albion visiting Aggborough... better keep training, fitness gauge test next week! So something to very much look forward to at the end of July, along with many other things of course...WOW!
If you had some pet fish, what would you name them... Montague perhaps, Cuthbert, Felix the Fish, Flipper, Shark, bodger... if we do get some fish (for companionship of course and not to eat!) I'll let you know. I might ask for some suggestions for names!! he he.
MONDAY 5th May 2003 - I found out today, that Manchester United won the Championship, obviously I'd been so cut off from the news yesterday, that I knew nothing about it.... anyway I wasn't really surprised, in fact I don't really support them anyway, I mean I follow their progress to an extent, but I couldn't call myself a supporter. I just support good football really, although their are some teams which I don't like, I shan't mention them now, but suffice to say when I go to the FA Cup Final a week on Saturday, I would like Southampton to win. Laughter is great don't you think - I mean if you could laugh everyday, that would be brilliant, life would be so much happier if that was the case, nothing to worry about, no care in the world, just laughter, and I mean joyous laughter too, not the upsetting laughter!!
But... is there always with everyones life a worry, a doubt, a concern - I would say everyone has one or the other to contend with in their lifes, whether it be permanent or occasional. To say that a person wouldn't go through life without this would be wrong... we all go through lifes challenges and 'darker' moments - it's how we deal with them and come through them that matters.... Anyway, that's not to say I'm not happy!! I'm very happy at the moment.. in fact.. push me off a cliff and I'll believe I can survive, that's how positive I am at the moment.
You see your commitments through, regardless of how stressful they may be. This does not mean though, that you allow yourself to be taken for granted or that you are prepared to play out pointless charades. You now need to travel down a difficult road. Important conversations must be held. Yet you can see how wise it could be to avoid upsetting someone. You need to apply determination and sensitivity in equal measure. Thats like saying, you need to balance fire and water. It is no easy task. But as long as you dont let your emotions get the better of you, you find a way.
SUNDAY 4th May 2003 - Enjoyed the evening out in Walsall last night with Mick and Daryll, before setting off from Walsall in the morning, after sampling Mick's breakfast! (Tea and Toast, ohh and orange juice). Then I set-off for a mystery tour.... somewhere as a surprise, and I wasn't let down I can tell you. The weather was fantastic, ideal for the location and I'll have some photos to show hopefully very soon. The evening was excellent too, when I tasted Pumpkin for the very first time served as a risotto.... it was very nice - it was also only one of the handful of times that I have engaged in a three course meal, it doesn't happen often at all, but Wei and I had a few things to celebrate so it made it well worthwhile.
Do you know what the future brings for you, say in a few years time? I was asked that question, and my answer would be different everytime, it's because I really don't know, I could be anywhere, in fact one dream of mine would be to work, lets say one year at a time at different locations throughout the world, say USA 2004, Canada 2005, Australia, 2006, China 2007... etc etc.. would that be my dream job? Mmmmmm Maybe!
SATURDAY 3rd May 2003 - Stupid Fool sprung to mind at 14:58 Hours today, dear oh dear oh dear!!! Somebody told me a little while ago that if your heart and mind isn't into a subject then give it a rest, recharge the batteries, get away from it, do something, but that subject because it won't get any better until you do. I've had other things on my mind lately rather than football.... the decision I made at this time was careless, stupid and I just couldn't understand why, why did I do it! Thankfully it didn't influence the result of the game, but it could of ruined it, ruined my last game of the season and probably my chances of promotion.... there is such a fine line between success and failure, now is the time for me to give it a break for the summer and reflect.
FRIDAY 2nd May 2003 - That's two Fridays in succession that I've had time of work... this day however was worthwhile and very very interesting and very very exciting too. It doesn't matter how little or how long you know someone... you will never get to know someone 100% of the time, the question I posed a few days ago was quite interesting.... only one person I knew gave me the correct answer and I was actually delighted about that really, it was quite a nice feeling knowing that someone DOES know me pretty well, a very complex person at time, very difficult to understand on some occasions, fantastic person to know, but I don't think I'll ever get to know someone that well to the extent of 100% ... it would be great I suppose if I did, but do I want to, would I lose that element of surprise, that change of character, that alteration in lifestyle, does anyone?
THURSDAY 1st May 2003 - Happy New May everyone! Gee I can't believe that April has gone so quickly. Today was cool and did plenty of exercise today, from a walk at lunchtime to another 5 mile walk in the evening (en route to voting at the polling station) to a 2 mile run later in the night. So I'm now taking in loads of fluids (water) as I'm writing my diary for today. I do intend to populate some more areas on the website soon, unfortunately though it's finding the time with plenty going on at the moment, but I will - I promise! Nice long break to look forward to now, with 4 days away from work, with Bank Holiday Monday coming up. I'm getting used to working 4 day weeks, perhaps I should re-arrange my hours at work to accommodate this more often!! Then again, perhaps not - I enjoy work really!!
I'm very happy at the moment, not only did I chop 15 seconds of my run today compared to yesterday, but I'm very excited about an impending investment... I only hope everything goes smoothly..... but hey! I will remain optimistic whatever happens... there is always another time another opportunity if it doesn't work out.... just like life I suppose. Thanks for the response to yesterdays questions.... perhaps you don't know me that well?!! He He
Ohhh and just for the record I finished reading Michael J Fox's book "Lucky Man" - It was a very good read... even though it took me about 2 and a half months to read it...
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